Hans Kettgen

[Jim Downs]

Kettgen was a major in the Schill combat group in Slovakia in the fall of 1944. After the war, he became an officer in the Bundeswehr. Does anyone know anything about him? Thanks

[Mark C Yerger]

Hi

This should be in SS section of the forum probably.

Born in Essen Nov 20, 1917. Joined SS (365 184) in 4/1938 with LSSAH and attended Bad Tölz 11/39-2/40, then assigned back to LSSAH. Served there as Zugführer and adjutant in IV.Bataillon and Rgts 1 and 2. April 1944 to SS-Pz Gren AuE Btl Brünn.


Iron Cross 2nd Class- 9/25/41
Iron Cross 1st Class- 7/14/41

Ustuf 9/1/40
Ostuf 4/20/42
Hstuf 11/9/44

KC on 2/14/45 as I.Bataillon Kommandeur, SS-Pz Gren Rgt "Schill"

Mark

[Michael Miller / ABR]

Some sources- don't remember which, but presumably Schneider and Kraetschmer (+ http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de)- state his final rank was SS-Sturmbannfuhrer, but I have found no official confirmation of such a promotion so I believe Mark is correct in giving his final rank as SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer.

Here's some basic data on him:



Hans Kettgen
SS-Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS


* 20.11.1917 in Essen.
+ 21.02.1979 in Hamburg.

NSDAP-Nr.: [No indication of Party membership in his SS file]
SS-Nr.: 365 184 (Joined 01.04.1938)

Promotions:
01.09.1940 SS-Untersturmführer d. R. der Waffen-SS
20.04.1942 SS-Obersturmführer d. R. der Waffen-SS (mit RDA vom 01.04.1942)
09.11.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
00.00.19__ Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr)

Decorations & Awards:
14.02.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes as SS-Hauptsturmführer and Kdr. I.Bataillon / SS-Panzer-Grenadier-
Regiment “Schill” (based on a recommendation dated 06.01.1945 and signed by Rgt. Kdr. Major ____; endorsed, 16.01.1945, by the Deutsche Befehlshaber in der Slowakei, SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Hermann Höfle; approved by the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler, 02.02.1945)
25.09.1941 1939 Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse
14.07.1941 1939 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
00.00.194_ Nahkampfspange I.Stufe (Bronze)
14.04.1943 Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Schwarz
ca. 1942 Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42”
00.00.19 Spange “Prager Burg” zum Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
00.00.19 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
00.00.19__ Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
00.00.19__ Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Bronze
00.00.19__ Julleuchter der SS
ca. 1945 “War Victory Cross” Order [5th?] Class (Slovakia)